Importance of non-CO2 emissions in carbon management
Title | Importance of non-CO2 emissions in carbon management |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Larkin, A, McLachlan, C, Mander, S, Wood, R, Roder, M, Thornley, P, Dawkins, E, Gough, C, O'Keefe, L, Sharmina, M |
Journal | Carbon Management |
Volume | 5 |
Issue | 2 |
Start Page | 193 |
Pagination | 193-210 |
Keywords | carbon management |
Abstract | Background: GHG budgets highlight a need for urgency, yet analyses are often CO2-focused, with less attention paid to non-CO2. Results: In this paper, scenarios are used to explore non-CO2 drivers and barriers to their mitigation, drawing out implications for CO2 management. Results suggest that even optimistic technological and consumption-related developments lead to on-going increases in global N2O, largely to improve food security within a changing climate. This contrasts with existing analysis, where lower levels of N2O by 2050 are projected. Conclusions: As avoiding '2°C' limits the emissions budget, constraints on reducing non-CO2 add pressure to energy system decarbonization. Overlooking how a changing climate and rising consumption restricts efforts to curb non-CO2 will result in policies aiming to avoid 2°C falling short of the mark. |